Good wishes and determination to weather the storm at the opening of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China

“It is a sign of good fortune,” said a local, upon seeing the rising sun and clear sky that this capital woke up to on the opening day when the Great Hall of the People hosted the plenary session of the 20th National Congress of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Communist Party of This Asian Nation (CCP). Here important days are carefully chosen so that the weather rewards them with good tidings, and this October 16th was no exception. Not because it was announced and planned down to the last detail, this event has ceased to attract attention both inside and outside the country. In particular, to listen to the summary of the Central Report of General Secretary Xi Jinping himself, who emphasized that China firmly carries the flags of socialism with its own characteristics in order to build a modern country.

Petty for the West turned militaristic in China

Being a public holiday, it was no surprise that the streets of Beijing were half empty of cars or people with the first light in the morning: however, even the simplest shops and newsstands opened as usual; Street cleaners keep tracks clean. Some took advantage of the coolness of the dawn to go for a run like any other Sunday morning; National and red flags were hoisted on or in front of the main buildings, recognizing the significance of history.

At the eastern entrance to Tiananmen Square, 30 red banners with golden stars on their poles moved in the wind with the grace only silk could give. The guards donned their bright uniforms leading the graphic reporters and photographers who walked in their footsteps and created the coveted shot for the TV presenters.

Inside the Great Hall of the People, red carpets marked the way. It is a monumental building, however, the sobriety of its decoration is impressive, always lit with yellow lamps within Chinese style lamps and chandeliers. The main hall is decorated with a wide field of red and in the background the party emblem of the hammer and sickle, the only symbol presiding over the session. A band from the People’s Army performed patriotic songs, indicating the perfect acoustics of the venue.

On the stage in each of the seats reserved for members of the Central Committee and in it for its Politburo, only a notebook and a cup of tea; In the foreground, the seats of more than two thousand delegates who came from different parts of the country showed their traditional costumes when it came to representatives of some of China’s 55 ethnic minorities. They were all protected by the organ of the security and insurance team dressed in black suits and trousers with white shirts and dark ties, men; And women, wine red jacket and ebony pants.

With the unexpected coincidence of what seemed insignificant in the eyes of foreigners, two groups of waitresses served tea at the seats reserved for the present members of the Central Committee, whose composition it is noteworthy to be replenished at this XX Congress. It closes on October 22nd.

Xi Jinping entered the room meticulously at 10 a.m. local time, and the office members followed him to the rhythmic applause of those present; And not without honoring the martyrs and leaders who brought China here after their death. A solemn silence altered slightly by a chorus of cicadas that made up the sound of the cameras.

In just over an hour and a half, Xi listed one by one the fundamental issues of the current reality and outlook for the coming years for China. He did so dressed in simple elegance, with the rhetorical assertiveness of a stinginess who cares greatly for the clarity and beauty of ideas and despises any theatrical works of exhibition. She booked her short tea breaks.

Photo: agencies.

Party ideas in 280 characters

Avoiding all personalities, Xi highlighted for the first time that in the past decade the Communist Party has been responsible for three major successes for the country: its celebration of its centenary with unified leadership; He asserted that it “led to socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era”; In addition, he said that he succeeded in eradicating poverty and building a well-off society in an integrated way. “The Central Committee unites and directs the party, the army and the people to confront the complex international situation and the challenges that lie ahead,” he stressed.

On the economic level, it left no room for doubt that the political organization, after a long path that has been followed since the 1982 Congress, maintains the construction of a socialist market economy system as its basic lines; which from now on would require a new type of industrialization, to continue reviving the countryside and fighting poverty; Achieve coordinated regional development and high-level openness to the outside world. He noted that this purpose should be achieved by accelerating the environmental transformation of Chinese society and “actively participating in global governance to deal with climate change.”

“By the middle of the century, China will be a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious, beautiful and modern country,” he said. But he explained that the challenges remain enormous: “We must be prepared for a rainy day, to withstand winds, high waves and even the great tests of storms.”

He made it clear that there would be no concessions in the party’s war against corruption. “We have curbed some twisting winds that have not stopped for a long time, and we have corrected some chronic chronic diseases that have not been eradicated for many years,” he said. He also asserted that at the ideological level, Marxism would continue to occupy a leading position. More so, always in perpetual creative transformation and in relation to traditional Chinese culture in order to “meet the people’s growing spiritual and cultural needs”.

The assessment made by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China did not evade other issues of great concern inside and outside China’s borders. He said the party will remain the main guarantor that the special administrative regions in Hong Kong and Macao enjoy the advantages of one country, two systems policy. Referring to the province of Taiwan, he cuts I’s:

“We always respect, love and benefit our Taiwan compatriots, and remain committed to strengthening cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.” He stressed that it is China’s sole responsibility to resolve this issue. “We continue to strive for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and effort, but we are never committed to giving up the use of force and preserving the option of taking all necessary measures against the interference of outside forces and against a small number of separatists.” , pointed out.

It is worth noting that the leader of the ruling party here indicated that the aspirations of this rising nation are to feel themselves in terms of culture and ideas. Thus, he defined, “quickly establish a system of discourse and narrative about China, which will tell the world well what is happening there and make its voice duly heard, in order to present a reliable, friendly and respectful picture of it, (…) to enhance our capacity for international communication”; and deepening “exchange and mutual learning among civilizations”. Previously, he had noted that in the global arena “we promote a community of common destiny for humanity; we strongly advocate for international fairness and justice; we advocate true pluralism and oppose all forms of hegemony”.

“Let us act with the firm awareness that talk of talk harms the country and that real work revitalizes it, with strong conviction and one will, with complete dedication to our mission and fearless progress,” Xi Jinping concluded Sunday. Ensure that an appointment that will take about a week is already in the country’s memory.